Effective Remedies for a Clogged Drain

A clogged drain is a common household problem that we face at one point of time or the other. Thankfully, there are some effective remedies that you can use to counter this problem, and in this HomeQuicks article, we give you some of those remedies.

Bidisha Mukherjee

Water not draining out of a wash basin, kitchen sink, or bathtub, can be an unpleasant and frustrating experience for many of us. Though a small problems, it tends to occur at the most inappropriate moments. The main reason for a clogged drain is the buildup of food particle, oil, dirt, soap scum, or hair blocks the passage of water. Using hard water leads to mineral buildup, which can also cause a blocked drain.

While the easiest way out of this mess is to call a plumber, it may not be the most economical one. The next time you face such a situation, thought we hope you do not, instead of blowing big bucks on a plumber, try out these home remedies first. Don't worry, you don't need any plumbing experience or know-how for this task.

DIY Remedies for a Clogged Drain

In most of the cases, it is found that the clogged drain is not a major problem and it can be handled with some simple tools and materials that are easily available in our homes. Following are a few of such remedies.

Hot WaterThis is an old remedy that works well when the drain is not completely clogged, but water is draining out slowly. Pour some hot water, to which some salt has been added, into the drain. The hot water will wash off all the greasy stuff that disrupts the draining process. Once the drain has been opened up, make sure you pour hot salted water into the drain once a week, to prevent any such clogging in future.

Baking SodaBaking soda can be used to prepare a homemade drain cleaner. Take one cup each of baking soda and salt, and one-fourth cup of cream of tartar in a container. Mix them properly and pour a part of this dry mixture into the drain. Then pour two cups of boiling water into the drain. Leave it untouched overnight. Next morning, flush the drain with hot water and you will find the drain cleared up. Similarly, you can use a solution of baking soda and white vinegar to open a clogged drain. Both these drain cleaners can open up even a badly clogged drain.

Washing SodaTake about 3 gallons of boiling water in a container, add some washing soda into it, and mix thoroughly to get a soapy solution. Pour it into the clogged drain at night and allow it to stand overnight. The next morning, you will find that all the grease and dirt build up has been washed off.

Commercial Drain CleanersYou can get commercial drain cleaners from any home improvement stores in your area. Read the instructions given on the label and use accordingly. These cleaners contain harsh chemicals that can burn the skin and give out toxic fumes. Therefore, they should be handled carefully. Protect yourself with gloves, a face mask, and goggles, and keep the work area well ventilated.

Plumber SnakeYou must have seen a plumber snake with professional plumbers who use it to unclog toilet drains. But it can be used to clear other drains as well. This tool consists of a long wire, which has a length of about 20 feet and diameter of about three-eighths of an inch. First of all, remove the stopper at the opening of the drain. Push the auger straight inside the drain. As you feel the block in the drain, turn its handle in order to bore through the clogging stuff. Then either push the clogging material so that it passes through the drain pipe or pull it out of the drain.

Once the clogged drain is cleared, you should take some preventive measures to prevent it from recurring. Never try to drain down cooking grease through the kitchen sink. Dispose it off in cans. Bathroom drains mostly get clogged by hair. So remove them regularly to avoid clogging up. If after trying the home remedies, you still haven't unclogged your drain, then I'm afraid it is time to shell out a little money and call the professionals.